Russia's top independent TV in trouble after poll

Associated Press

January 29, 2014 - 2:05 PM

MOSCOW — Several Russian cable and satellite providers have removed a top independent television channel from their packages after it ran a poll asking the audience if the Soviets should have surrendered Leningrad to the Nazis to avoid more than a million deaths during the WWII siege.

The Dozhd channel, which broadcasts on the Internet, cable and satellite channels, is Russia's leading independent television station. Its owner Nataliya Sindeyeva alleged Wednesday that providers had been prompted to cut the feed by unidentified officials. She says the station's critical reporting angered many in the Kremlin.

Dozhd apologized for its poll, which caused broad criticism and drew calls for its closure from some lawmakers.

President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said in an interview with Dozhd that it crossed a moral "red line."